"Meet Me Next Christmas" was released to Netflix on Nov. 6. It is a comedic Christmas movie filled with wholesome moments between the main characters. This movie features Christina Milian as Layla and Devale Ellis as Teddy.
Layla is on a mission to meet her dream man. She is a hopeless romantic who runs through New York City to obtain a ticket to a sold-out Pentatonix Christmas concert. During this adventure, she meets a man named Teddy, who helps her obtain this ticket. James is the man she meets at the airport a year before the concert. It all starts with him; she is determined to find him because she believes he is her person.
Highs
The high point of "Meet Me Next Christmas" is the chemistry between Teddy and Layla. Their connection is undeniable, and their comedic banter brings the film together. The lighthearted tone evokes a feeling of Christmas. The movie blends comedy with romantic tropes and intriguing scenes between the characters.
Milian's acting is perfect; she brings this perfect Christmas feeling to her character, possibly since she has been featured in multiple other Christmas films. She did a great job in this role by bringing this sense of kindness and determination with her to find her dream man. The outfits that she dressed in as Layla brought out her personality. The unique red dress that she wore to the concert was gorgeous and brought out her beauty.
Another high point is the humorous jokes between Teddy and his cousin Jordy (Kalen Allen). Jordy's humorous aspect makes the audience laugh. His personality resembles a drag queen, filled with ambition and excitement about winning tickets. He helps Layla and Teddy do this lip-sync contest to win the Pentatonix tickets.
The members of Pentatonix are another high because they are invested in Layla and Teddy's love adventure. They keep track throughout their adventure of obtaining concert tickets. The soundtrack, featuring their songs, is another high as they are beautifully sung and performed. They all have unique voices that bring out the Christmas spirit.
Lows
This film has minimal lows. Its predictable plot concerns a love triangle and whether Layla will pick Teddy or James. The tension between Layla and Teddy is predictable, but their chemistry is undeniable.
The dependence on the trope could be a low for viewers. It depends on the viewer's familiarity with the holiday rom-com. The film doesn't give us a unique trope, but is still entertaining.
The last low is the need for more background knowledge on the characters. There is a lack of information about Layla's relationship with her ex-boyfriend and her life. Had there been more explanation as to how her life became the way it was, the storyline might have been less impacted.
Verdict
"Meet Me Next Christmas" is worth watching, considering the feel-good moments throughout the Christmas movie. It is full of laughter and romantic gestures that show the genuine connection between the characters and the holiday spirt.
Rating: 7 out of 10
Mariam Fakhreddine is a film and theater reviewer for The Eastern Echo. She has worked as a news and features reporter for The Echo for two years.
